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Bart Van Straten and Tim Horeman

Reducing medical waste is a worldwide challenge that calls for smarter solutions that can make healthcare more sustainable.

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Reducing medical waste is a worldwide challenge that calls for smarter solutions that can make healthcare more sustainable.

This course helps hospital staff, management, users and buyers of medical products and decision-makers make the transition to a circular economy and therefore contribute to reducing waste streams and costs.

This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to create sustainable solutions in hospitals. It includes business cases with visual examples of circular economy strategies presented by experts from the field. These strategies are also a tool to help relieve the supply chain as resources are under increasing pressure.

After taking this course you will master the concept of the circular economy from a hospital perspective. You will learn to apply circular strategies and how to set-up a green team to integrate circular processes in your organization. Finally, you will learn how to make recommendations for reducing waste streams.

This course is part of the program Circular Strategies for Sustainable Healthcare developed by TU Delft’s MedTech experts in close collaboration with industry representatives and renowned institutes. These courses provide not only academic insights but also practical tools and examples which can be implemented in any healthcare organization, and can help you propose and develop your own circular solutions and programs.

Free e-book In addition to 24/7 online access to video lectures and other course material, you will receive an electronic copy of the brand-new book 'Creating a Circular Healthcare Economy'. This book will further equip you to drive sustainable change and embrace circularity in the healthcare sector.

Accredited Course

This course is accredited by the Dutch Association for Hospital Instrumentation Technicians (VZI). Learners who successfully complete the course and obtain a certificate can request Professional Development Points.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Define the basics of circular economy from a hospital perspective
  • Translate the circular approaches of the butterfly diagram to a hospital or healthcare environment
  • Recognize the purpose of a green team and outline its requirements
  • Define urban mining and identify urban mining strategies in the hospital
  • Analyze waste streams in the hospital and identify how these can be reduced or eliminated
  • Formulate a set of recommendations to decrease hospital waste

Syllabus

The transfer from linear to circular
The need to transfer to circular healthcare economy
Explanation of the Butterfly Diagram as a ‘system’ and its use as a model for waste reduction
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The EU Climate Law and Green Deal
Trend towards reducing medical waste.
Visualizing all Butterfly Diagram approaches as strategies in a hospital.
Applying the circular strategies of Maintenance, Reuse, Repair, Remanufacturing, Recycling
Transforming hospitals’ use of circular products and processes
Product-life-extending programs
Circular strategies in hospitals
Designing a green team
Integrating circular processes in an organization
Critical success factors and how to overcome resistance in setting-up a team
How to create a support base in the organization
The definition of urban mining and its relevance
How to urban mine in a hospital
Risks of contamination
Differences between the different wastes streams: household, contaminated and non-contaminated waste streams
Materials and their properties
Mono versus mixed waste streams.
Waste reduction strategies
Waste reduction programs
Medical devices with extended service-life and longer durability
Advantages of repair, preventive maintenance, refurbishment in the context of reducing waste streams
How to separate waste streams.
Writing a waste reduction proposal
Evaluating a circular proposal
Creating a sustainable advice network.
Week 1: Basics of the circular healthcare economy, from a hospital perspectiveIn this week you will learn the basics of the circular healthcare economy, from a hospital perspective. Topics which we will cover this week are:
Week 2: Applying circular strategies in a hospital environmentIn this week you will learn to apply circular approaches. Topics which we will cover this week are:
Week 3: Setting-up a green teamIn this week you will learn how to set-up a green team. Topics which we will cover this week are:
Week 4: Urban MiningIn this week you will learn to define urban mining and to identify urban mining strategies in the hospital. Topics which we will cover this week are:
Week 5: How to reduce waste streamsIn this week you will learn how to analyze waste streams in the hospital and identify how these can be reduced or eliminated. Topics which we will cover this week are:
Week 6: Making recommendations to reduce waste in a hospitalIn this week you will learn how to formulate a set of recommendations to decrease hospital waste. Topics which we will cover this week are:
Week 7: Summary of the courseIn this week we will wrap-up and provide main takeaways as well as additional resources and information. Literature reviews and finding relevant publications were part of this course and we will provide you with more relevant literature on this topic.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Taught by industry professionals, Bart Van Straten and Tim Horeman
Offers a structured approach to integrate circular processes in a hospital
Provides a free eBook to further students' knowledge of circular economy strategies
Covers global climate policies and regulations, such as the EU Climate Law and Green Deal
Involves real-world examples of circular economy strategies in hospitals
Provides accredited course from the Dutch Association for Hospital Instrumentation Technicians (VZI)

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Circular Strategies for Hospitals with these activities:
Read 'Creating a Circular Healthcare Economy'
Provides a comprehensive overview of circular economy strategies in healthcare.
Show steps
  • Obtain the book from the provided link or library.
  • Read through the book, taking notes on key concepts and strategies.
Practice Urban Mining Techniques
Helps students develop practical skills in identifying and recovering valuable materials from hospital waste.
Browse courses on Urban Mining
Show steps
  • Identify different types of materials that can be recovered through urban mining in a hospital.
  • Research and practice techniques for extracting these materials safely and efficiently.
Develop a Circular Waste Management Plan
Allows students to apply circular economy principles to a practical problem within a hospital setting.
Show steps
  • Identify and analyze current waste streams generated by the hospital.
  • Research and propose circular economy strategies to reduce or eliminate these waste streams.
  • Develop a comprehensive plan outlining the implementation of these strategies.
Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Circular Strategies for Hospitals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Hospital Administrator
A Hospital Administrator is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a hospital, including the budget, staff, and patient care. This course can help Hospital Administrators understand how to reduce waste streams, improve efficiency, and create a more sustainable hospital environment. The course's focus on circular strategies can also help Hospital Administrators identify opportunities to save money and improve the quality of care.
Healthcare Consultant
A Healthcare Consultant advises hospitals and other healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations. This course can help Healthcare Consultants learn about the latest circular strategies and how to implement them in a hospital setting. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Healthcare Consultants identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of hospitals.
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability programs for organizations. This course can help Sustainability Managers learn about the circular economy and how to apply circular strategies to the healthcare sector. The course's focus on waste reduction and urban mining can also help Sustainability Managers identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of hospitals.
Environmental Health and Safety Manager
An Environmental Health and Safety Manager is responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with environmental and safety regulations. This course can help Environmental Health and Safety Managers learn about the circular economy and how to apply circular strategies to the healthcare sector. The course's focus on waste reduction and urban mining can also help Environmental Health and Safety Managers identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of hospitals.
Materials Scientist
A Materials Scientist researches and develops new materials for use in a variety of industries, including the healthcare industry. This course can help Materials Scientists learn about the circular economy and how to develop new materials that are more sustainable and can be recycled or reused. The course's focus on urban mining can also help Materials Scientists identify opportunities to use recycled materials in the development of new products.
Product Designer
A Product Designer designs and develops new products for a variety of industries, including the healthcare industry. This course can help Product Designers learn about the circular economy and how to design products that are more sustainable and can be recycled or reused. The course's focus on urban mining can also help Product Designers identify opportunities to use recycled materials in the development of new products.
Process Engineer
A Process Engineer designs and improves processes for a variety of industries, including the healthcare industry. This course can help Process Engineers learn about the circular economy and how to design processes that are more sustainable and reduce waste. The course's focus on urban mining can also help Process Engineers identify opportunities to use recycled materials in the development of new processes.
Supply Chain Manager
A Supply Chain Manager is responsible for managing the flow of goods and services within an organization. This course can help Supply Chain Managers learn about the circular economy and how to implement circular strategies in their supply chains. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Supply Chain Managers identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of their organizations.
Waste Management Specialist
A Waste Management Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing waste management programs for organizations. This course can help Waste Management Specialists learn about the circular economy and how to apply circular strategies to waste management. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Waste Management Specialists identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of their organizations.
Environmental Scientist
An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and develops solutions to environmental problems. This course can help Environmental Scientists learn about the circular economy and how to apply circular strategies to environmental problems. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Environmental Scientists identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of their organizations.
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes public policies. This course can help Policy Analysts learn about the circular economy and how to develop policies that promote circularity. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Policy Analysts identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of their organizations.
Teacher
A Teacher educates students in a variety of subjects. This course can help Teachers learn about the circular economy and how to incorporate it into their teaching. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Teachers identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of their schools.
Journalist
A Journalist researches and writes news stories. This course can help Journalists learn about the circular economy and how to report on it in a way that is engaging and informative. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Journalists identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of their organizations.
Researcher
A Researcher conducts research in a variety of fields. This course can help Researchers learn about the circular economy and how to conduct research on it. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Researchers identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of their organizations.
Engineer
An Engineer designs and builds things. This course can help Engineers learn about the circular economy and how to design and build things that are more sustainable. The course's focus on urban mining and waste reduction can also help Engineers identify opportunities to save money and improve the environmental performance of their products.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Circular Strategies for Hospitals.
Is written by the instructors of the course and provides a comprehensive overview of circular strategies for sustainable healthcare.
This seminal book introduces the concept of the circular economy and provides a philosophical and practical framework for sustainable design and manufacturing.
Offers a detailed examination of the circular economy and its principles, with a focus on how to implement circular strategies in various industries, including healthcare.
This classic book provides a compelling case for the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable business practices.
This practical guide provides a step-by-step approach to achieving zero waste in all aspects of life, including healthcare settings.
"Walter Stahel's circular economy concept revolutionary approach to resource management, with the potential to transform the way we produce, consume, and dispose of goods. offers an updated, comprehensive, and concise user's guide to this powerful concept
Comprehensive reference on healthcare waste management, providing detailed information on waste reduction strategies.
A book by Tristram Stuart, a leading campaigner against food waste. It discusses waste in the food industry, with a focus on the United Kingdom. However, some of the issues raised are relevant to the healthcare industry
Provides a comprehensive overview of the global environmental crisis, and offers strategies for addressing this crisis in healthcare settings.

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